11 Best Heating Pads For Sore Muscles And Body Pains – 2024
These pads are your savior if you are suffering cramped-up muscles and joints.
Dr. Raafae Hussain is a foot and ankle surgeon and a partner at Complete Foot & Ankle Care in North Texas, PA. He has over nine years of experience and is highly skilled in advanced treatment options. Dr. Hussain earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Hartford and a doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine.
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Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.
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Experience: 5 yearsMedha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.
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Experience: 3 yearsRajeshwari is a dedicated fitness and lifestyle enthusiast, deeply committed to enhancing our readers’ well-being and vitality. She has a master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Calcutta.
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Say “hello” to the best heating pad in the world and “goodbye” to sore muscles and body pains. An age-old pain relief method, heat therapy can relax the muscles and enhance pain tolerance. From managing pain from injury, backache, period cramps, swelling, sprains, and after birth, heat therapy works wonders. Dr. Raafae M. Hussain, a podiatric surgeon says, “Heating pads are great for stiff and overworked muscles. They provide local heat therapy at the comfort of your own home. It is a great choice for initial management of discomfort, tightness, or soreness from the day to day wear and tear.” Therefore, we have prepared a list of the 11 most effective heating pads in this article that you should have now. We have also put a buying guide to ease your search mission.
In This Article
Types Of Heating Pads
- Electric Heating Pad
This is one of the most commonly used heating pads. It uses voltage power and requires a power source to work. The best part about this type of heating pad is that it is equipped with multiple temperature settings and is highly durable. It doesn’t require recharging. This electric heating pad is ideal for back pain and offers practical benefits based on real-life results and hands-on experience of reviewers.
- Microwaveable Heating Pad
This type of heating pad is useful for traveling. It is compact and wireless. The device is filled with water or gel or has organic ingredients like rice or flaxseeds. These constituents are packed in a sack that can be microwaved. The heat is then transferred onto the surface of the heating pad. This is ideal for period cramps or mild back pain used along with some pain-relieving lotions. It is budget-friendly.
- Infrared Heating Pad
This heating pad can be used to relieve chronic back pain or other severe conditions. It delivers deeper and more concentrated heat that penetrates the surface of the skin. It is more powerful than regular heating pads.
Besides providing instant relief from aching muscles, heating pads help relax your body. They can be used to soothe different kinds of body pains. Here are a few benefits.
Benefits Of Using A Heating Pad
1. Heating Pads Help Relieve Body Soreness
If you indulge in heavy workouts, sports activities, or other tiring acts, heating pads will alleviate the ‘after-effect’ pain.
2. Heating Pads Loosens Stiff Muscles
The heat exerted from these devices soothes tightened muscles by allowing better blood flow. This will help you relax and perform activities without causing pain.
3. Heating Pads Help Treat Chronic Conditions
Heating pads provide short-term relief to people with arthritis. They also boost immunity and allow your body to heal on its own.
Top 11 Heating Pads To Buy In 2024
1. Best King Size Heating Pad:Sunbeam XL King Size Ultra Heating Pad
Get rid of everyday muscle aches with this heating pad. It helps deliver even and powerful heat across achy areas. It offers three heat settings. You can use it with dry and moist heat options. The easy-slide controller for heat settings is designed especially for arthritis patients. Check this video to learn more about the product based on the tester’s experience.
- Machine washable
- 9-foot power cord
- Deliver instant comfort and relief
- Affordable
None
2. Pure Enrichment PureRelief™ XL Heating Pad
The Pure Enrichment PureRelief Heating Pad is an effective solution for muscle tension and pain relief. It utilizes targeted heat therapy to provide quick relief from menstrual cramps and instant sore muscle relief. With a user-friendly LCD controller, you can choose from six different heat settings for personalized comfort. Within seconds, the heating pad warms up to provide fast relief and allows you to select a temperature ranging from 105℉ to 140℉.
- Lightweight
- Machine washable
- 6 different heat settings
- Compact
None
3. Geniani XL Heating Pad
The Geniani XL Heating Pad is made of soft, wrap-knit fibers that heat up in less than 30 seconds and offers quick pain relief. It features three adjustable heat settings and the micro plush outer layer adapts to your body shape, providing ultimate comfort. This king-size heating pad is electric-powered and releases constant heat into your body to soothe back pain, ease cramps, and offer optimum muscle relaxation. It is equipped with an automatic shut-off feature and overheat protection to prevent accidental burns. This machine-washable heating pad has a 10 feet long cord that is easy to maneuver. Several online reviews highlight this product’s quick heat-up feature.
- Heats up quickly
- Soft-to-the-touch
- Soft micro plush fiber
- Adjustable heat settings
- Auto shut-off mechanism
- Offers overheat protection
- Long cord
- Machine-washable
- Not long-lasting
Sunbeam XL King Size Ultra Heating Pad | Pure Enrichment PureRelief™ XL Heating Pad | Geniani XL Heating Pad | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | - | Gray | Tabby Gray |
| Material | - | Microplush (Top) Polyester (Bottom) | Microplush |
| Dimensions | - | 23.5 x 11.5 x 0.5 inches | 12.09 x 5.39 x 3.31 inches |
| Weight | - | 1.25 Pounds | 1.32 Pounds |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 62,165 | 28,899 | 10,309 |
| Price | $44.99 | $34.99 | $21.97 |
4. Best Full-Body Heating Pad:Thermophore MaxHeat Deep Heat Therapy
This heating pad is nearly twice the size of most heating pads. It covers the entire spinal area, from your shoulders to below the hips. It produces intense moist heat that helps relieve pain and stiffness in muscles instantly. The temperature ranges between 150-165° F. It is the best moist heating pad to treat musculoskeletal pains. This is a great heating pad for sports injuries that require a bit more care. This video offers a more detailed explanation of the product based on the reviewer’s experience.
- One-touch control features
- Auto shut-off after 25 minutes
- 14″ x 27″ unit size
- Recommended by physical therapists
- 10 feet cord length
- Availability issues
RememberUse the full-body heating pad for around 10 to 15 minutes at a time once to thrice per day for best effective results.
5. Slimpal Menstrual Heating Pad
The Slimpal Heating Pad is designed to provide up to 11 hours of constant working with its NTC sensor control. This cordless and portable heating pad is lightweight and portable with a rechargeable design. For those suffering from menstrual pain and cramps, this heating pad offers relief by increasing circulation, which helps relax tight muscles.
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- 57-inch elastic belt
- Works for several hours
- Durable
- Rechargeable heating pad
- Easy to use
- Belt clip may not latch properly
6. Aroma Season Heating Pad
Aroma Season Menstrual Heating Pad is an electric heating pad with a 7.4V 3000mAh battery. It is designed to provide long-lasting, adjustable heat therapy for cramps and period pains. With three temperature settings from 104℉ to 140℉, it is easy to adjust the levels of warmth with the press of a button. The battery works for 6 hours so you don’t need to worry about running out of power during your session. This product can also be used as a quick back heating pad. Reviewers, having put this product to the test, praise it for its comfortable and lightweight design.
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Versatile
- Provides aromatherapy
- Lightweight and compact
- Releases an odd smell after heating
7. Best Neck Pillow Heating Pad:Soothing Company Therapeutic Neck Wrap
This microwaveable neck and shoulder wrap is unique. It is filled with heat-absorbing clay beads and flax seeds that soothe your neck, back, shoulders, and stomach or abdomen. Alternatively, you can also use it as cold therapy by placing it in the freezer. The best feature of this cooling and heating pad is that it releases lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, and chamomile scents every time you heat it. Reviewers emphasize the unique aromatherapy feature of this product after testing.
- Retains warmth/cold for up to 30 minutes
- Comfortable material
- Reusable
- Provides aromatherapy
- Too heavy
Quick TipPut a clean towel or a suitable piece of clothing around the neck and shoulders to avoid direct application of heat on the skin.
8. Best Professional Grade Heating Pad:UTK Far Infrared Heating Pad
UTK Far Infrared Heating Pad is equipped with 108 natural jade and 42 tourmaline stones to enhance therapeutic benefits. Tourmaline stones absorb heat quickly and emit negative ions. This flexible heating pad can be used for your upper and lower back, shoulders, waist, hips, arms, feet, knees, and calves. It increases blood flow and reduces muscle tension for quick recovery.
- 21 “X31” accommodative size
- Has a timer
- Has a memory function to store duration and temperature
- 10-foot power cord
- Comes with a travel bag
- Expensive
9. SuzziPad Microwave Heating Pad
Alleviate joints, stiffness, knotted muscles, and cramps with the SuzziPad Microwave Heating Pad. This neck wrap is infused with millets, flaxseeds, and clay beads. You can use this heat therapy pad for your shoulders, wrist, elbow, neck, legs, arms, back, ankle, knee, calf muscles, and any other muscle to get relief from acute pain. The pad comes with double-sided fabric, offering convenience, especially for sensitive skin. You can also use this heating pad as a cold compressor to get relaxation from stress, swelling, and sprain.
- Ultra-soft
- Skin-friendly
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Versatile
- Flexible
- May smell odd after heating
10. Comfier Heating Pad
Comfier Heating Pad offers the perfect combination of heat therapy and massage to help relieve tension and soreness in your muscles. It features four powerful massage motors that deliver a soothing vibrating massage, with three adjustable modes, two levels of intensity, and two levels of heat. The wrap-around design is flexible enough to fit up to 58 inches around your waist or lower back area, providing targeted relief right where you need it most.
- High-quality
- Portable
- Cushiony
- Comfortable
- Auto shut off feature
None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 2,423 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
11. Best For Period Cramps:Sacksy Thyme Hot Therapy Relief Heating Pad
This double-sided hot therapy heating pad is filled with organic flax seed. It is a microwaveable product that needs to be heated for a minimum of 90 seconds before use. Once the sack is heated, you can place the pack on sore muscles. This is a great natural alternative to help soothe aching muscles. But make sure not to heat the product beyond 2 minutes.
- Easy to use
- Suitable for headache and period cramps
- Portable
- Cushiony and comfortable
- There are chances of hotspots.
Our recommended heating pads are equipped with multiple features that suit your needs. To help you pick the right product from a wide range of options available, we have put together a buying guide with important features to look for in a heating pad.
Buying Guide For Heating Pads
1. Heat Settings/ Auto Shut-off
Choosing a product with multiple heat settings will help you regulate the temperature, depending on the degree of pain.
An automatic shut-off feature will enable you to relax while using a heating pad without having to worry about the time in case you fall asleep.
2. Heat Up Time
This feature is important because it indicates the time taken by the device to heat up completely. If you are always on the go, pick an infrared heating pad that heats up within minutes. But these are quite expensive compared to the others. There are affordable heating pads that can stay warm for hours with just a few minutes of charging time. Pick the right one after thorough research.
If you prefer a soothing therapeutic experience at leisure, you can pick a microwaveable heating pad.
3. Material
The material comes into the picture when you are looking for a microwavable heating pad. Since these devices acquire heat from other sources, the material should be heat-resistant and durable. Most microwaveable heating pads come with rice or gel filling with cotton and fleece covers.
4. Size
Usually, heating pads come in three sizes – large, regular, and compact. But there are other king-size heating pads meant for full-body purposes. Depending on the targeted area and comfort, choose the size that is perfect for you and serves your needs. Knee heating pads should fit you well and cover the target areas while foot heating pads are usually smaller in sizes. Microwaveable heating pads are compact, adjustable, and portable, while others come in variable sizes and measures. There are also heating pads with adjustable velcro straps that can extend based on the required size.
5. Machine Washable
With so much going on, the last thing you want is a complicated washing routine. Pick a heating pad made of cotton or velvet or other wash-friendly material. There are heating pads with removable hot/cold gel packs that make cleaning them easy.
6. Heating Type
Some heating pads require charging or power supply or an artificial method of heating( microwave). Many heating pads are USB-powered while some can work with batteries. Pick a product that suits your conditions.
The Bottom Line
Body pains or muscle pains drain out your energy. But with the right heating pad, you get relief from pains caused by injuries, period cramps, backache, and sprains. The heating pads work on electricity, and they loosen tight muscles and body soreness. Additionally, they give relief from chronic conditions like arthritis and joint pains. So invest in heating pads if you are dealing with body or muscle pains. The Sunbeam XL King Size Ultra Heating Pad is an all-round, affordable option for all. If you are looking for wider coverage, go for the Pure Enrichment PureRelief™ XL Heating Pad. To get relief from chronic or deep-seated pain, try the UTK Far Infrared Heating Pad. In addition, the heating pads soothe sore muscles and keep you relaxed. But consider heating pads that are skin-friendly because if the material is aggressive, it might cause irritation and burns. And steer clear heating pads that trigger hot spots.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Aditi Naskar, the author of this article, has a diploma in health and wellness and loves to review health care products for her readers. After thorough research, she has listed the best heating pads available on the market. She went through numerous reviews and feedback on multiple forums and brand websites to help you pick the right product according to your preferences. The shortlisted pads help manage pain from injury, backache, period cramps, swelling, sprains, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are heating pads good for you?
Yes. Heating pads increase blood circulation, release muscle pains, relieve joint constriction, and reduce pains.
How long should you wear a heating pad?
Wear a heating pad for 15 to 30 minutes to relieve muscle aches and joint pains. Avoid using it for longer to prevent irritation and skin burns.
What is the difference between a heating pad and a moist heating pad?
Moist heating pads use warm water to relieve pain. The moist water heat penetrates deeper tissues and offers improved pain reduction. In contrast, heating pads use dry heat that penetrates surface tissues and offer mild pain relief.
Is it okay to use a heating pad every night?
Yes. Use a heating pad every night, but for a maximum of 30 minutes. Avoid using it for longer to prevent increasing muscle pains.
Is it okay to sleep with a heating pad?
No. Do not sleep with a heating pad to avoid developing accidental burns and causing skin inflammation.
Why can you not lay on a heating pad?
You can lay on a heating pad set at a low temperature for 30 minutes. Avoid laying on it for longer to prevent skin burns and aggravating muscle cramps.
How do heat pads work?
Heat pads dilate your blood vessels, boost the flow of more oxygen-rich blood to your cramped-up muscle areas, and reduce the pain. In addition, the pads promote consistent circulation throughout your body and keep your joints pain-free.
Read full bio of Dr. Raafae M. Hussain
Read full bio of Aditi Naskar
Read full bio of Medha Deb
Read full bio of Rajeshwari Das
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